Anyone here know how to ride a horse?

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

 

[compuwiz1]

Whoooooaaaaaa!

Good luck, I know nothing about horses, other than you slap em on the ass to get going and pull back the reins to put on the brakes.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Whoooooaaaaaa!

Giddyup

 

[Gatecrasher3]

my girlfriend rides english, and i remember her saying that western is easer if your just starting out.

 

[imported_Imp]

I only have one aquaintance that I know of who rides horses on a regular basis.

Otherwise, all I know is that a horse killed Superman, so it's advisable to weat a helmet and a back protector. Would you rather look like a pussy or be a vegetable...

Enjoy!

 

[OCGuy]

Stick to sheep. Less kick.




(unless you are allergic to wool )

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: Ocguy31
Stick to sheep. Less kick.




(unless you are allergic to wool )

mmmm, lanolin :laugh:

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

Group lesson to start. For quite a while you're just going to be getting used to being around them, building the right muscles, sitting so you don't kill yourself, and holding the reins right. Private lessons would be a waste of money; that's when you want to start refining the finer points of your style and ability.

Special shoes would be helpful. The reason boots have a heel is to avoid your foot accidentally going through a stirrup and you potentially getting dragged if you were to fall off. Sneakers are not good riding shoes. You don't need expensive shoes though; anything with a decent heel and low traction will work.

Western is great for pleasure riding. If you're interested in jumping go English. In English they'll teach you to post the trot (rise and fall with the horse) where you'll learn to just sit back and let your hips move with the horse in Western. In English the horses are typically mouth-reined, where you pull the reins and the horse feels the bit change in their mouth to tell them what to do. In Western most horses are neck-reined, so you lay the reins on one side of the neck or the other to tell them to turn, not pull on the reins.

Sounds fun, enjoy!

 

[Leros]

I took groups lessons when I was a kid. I learned the basics of grooming, get the horse ready to ride, and basic riding including small jumps. I think it was 5 lessons. Not sure.

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: Imp
I only have one aquaintance that I know of who rides horses on a regular basis.

Otherwise, all I know is that a horse killed Superman, so it's advisable to weat a helmet and a back protector. Would you rather look like a pussy or be a vegetable...

Enjoy!

Yep, helmets all the way. Most places won't let you ride without one, too much liability.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

AFAIK, the difference is pulling the direction you want to go versus pulling the opposite direction. I could be completely wrong, I've never had a lesson, I just hopped on (from the wrong side, apparently--didn't know it made a difference) and started riding.

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

AFAIK, the difference is pulling the direction you want to go versus pulling the opposite direction. I could be completely wrong, I've never had a lesson, I just hopped on (from the wrong side, apparently--didn't know it made a difference) and started riding.

Different saddles, to start. Western saddles have a wide seat for you to sit back and a horn. English saddles have a narrow and high seat, prompting you to sit straight/lean forward at various points, and no horn.

You're close with the pulling thing. It's more like pulling and pushing though. Any horse will follow the bit if you pull him one direction. However, western horses are trained to move AWAY from neck pressure. So English, to go right you pull right. Western, to go right you lay the left rein on the horse's neck.

And yeah, you mount from the left. Most horses are trained to expect it, but the old old old reason was a knight/cowboy wearing a weapon couldn't mount from the right without the sword/gun getting in the way.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

Group lesson to start. For quite a while you're just going to be getting used to being around them, building the right muscles, sitting so you don't kill yourself, and holding the reins right. Private lessons would be a waste of money; that's when you want to start refining the finer points of your style and ability.

Special shoes would be helpful. The reason boots have a heel is to avoid your foot accidentally going through a stirrup and you potentially getting dragged if you were to fall off. Sneakers are not good riding shoes. You don't need expensive shoes though; anything with a decent heel and low traction will work.

Western is great for pleasure riding. If you're interested in jumping go English. In English they'll teach you to post the trot (rise and fall with the horse) where you'll learn to just sit back and let your hips move with the horse in Western. In English the horses are typically mouth-reined, where you pull the reins and the horse feels the bit change in their mouth to tell them what to do. In Western most horses are neck-reined, so you lay the reins on one side of the neck or the other to tell them to turn, not pull on the reins.

Sounds fun, enjoy!

This might sound dumb but do you think motorcycle boots would be ok? I have a pair that are basically timberlands but they have extra support in the heels and toe areas.

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

Group lesson to start. For quite a while you're just going to be getting used to being around them, building the right muscles, sitting so you don't kill yourself, and holding the reins right. Private lessons would be a waste of money; that's when you want to start refining the finer points of your style and ability.

Special shoes would be helpful. The reason boots have a heel is to avoid your foot accidentally going through a stirrup and you potentially getting dragged if you were to fall off. Sneakers are not good riding shoes. You don't need expensive shoes though; anything with a decent heel and low traction will work.

Western is great for pleasure riding. If you're interested in jumping go English. In English they'll teach you to post the trot (rise and fall with the horse) where you'll learn to just sit back and let your hips move with the horse in Western. In English the horses are typically mouth-reined, where you pull the reins and the horse feels the bit change in their mouth to tell them what to do. In Western most horses are neck-reined, so you lay the reins on one side of the neck or the other to tell them to turn, not pull on the reins.

Sounds fun, enjoy!

This might sound dumb but do you think motorcycle boots would be ok? I have a pair that are basically timberlands but they have extra support in the heels and toe areas.

I don't really know anything about motorcycle boots; link to a pic? Would you be ok if they got dirty? When you're working with horses you basically get the point where you ignore mud and manure, so work boots are just that.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Western saddles are easier to work with than english, the only reason I could see going for english is if you wanted to enter shows or that was what type of equipment people around you have. The one key thing to remember that most people do, is DO NOT squeeze your legs unless you want to go faster. Most people panic and squeeze their legs which is a lot like pushing your foot to the floor of a car when the gas pedal is underneath it.

There is a difference between the learner horses and the well trained horses in that the highly trained ones are made to respond to very light commands to the point that it doesn't look like the rider is doing anything, while the learners are trained to ignore all the commands that the FNGs don't really intend to do but do anyways.

 

[BlackTigers]

All I know is that my ass hurt like crazy the last time I rode.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: BlackTigers
All I know is that my ass hurt like crazy the last time I rode.

Then you're doing it wrong

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Western saddles are easier to work with than english, the only reason I could see going for english is if you wanted to enter shows or that was what type of equipment people around you have. The one key thing to remember that most people do, is DO NOT squeeze your legs unless you want to go faster. Most people panic and squeeze their legs which is a lot like pushing your foot to the floor of a car when the gas pedal is underneath it.

There is a difference between the learner horses and the well trained horses in that the highly trained ones are made to respond to very light commands to the point that it doesn't look like the rider is doing anything, while the learners are trained to ignore all the commands that the FNGs don't really intend to do but do anyways.

My favorite thing to watch new riders do is climb on the horse and, from a dead stand, KICK!!

Depending on the animal, that can be highly entertaining!

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

http://www.motorcycle-supersto...d-Boots-Closeouts.aspx

I might just end up investing in some cheap work boots though. Thanks for all the replies.

Ah. I just noticed you recommend low traction. Scratch the moto boots.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

AFAIK, the difference is pulling the direction you want to go versus pulling the opposite direction. I could be completely wrong, I've never had a lesson, I just hopped on (from the wrong side, apparently--didn't know it made a difference) and started riding.

Different saddles, to start. Western saddles have a wide seat for you to sit back and a horn. English saddles have a narrow and high seat, prompting you to sit straight/lean forward at various points, and no horn.

You're close with the pulling thing. It's more like pulling and pushing though. Any horse will follow the bit if you pull him one direction. However, western horses are trained to move AWAY from neck pressure. So English, to go right you pull right. Western, to go right you lay the left rein on the horse's neck.

And yeah, you mount from the left. Most horses are trained to expect it, but the old old old reason was a knight/cowboy wearing a weapon couldn't mount from the right without the sword/gun getting in the way.

Yeah, in the long run I've decided that a motorcycle probably suits me more

 

[AreaCode7O7]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
http://www.motorcycle-supersto...d-Boots-Closeouts.aspx

I might just end up investing in some cheap work boots though. Thanks for all the replies.

You could get by with those, but I'd recommend something with a slightly bigger heel and a smooth sole. You want to be able to easily slide your feet around in the stirrups so you can get the right position and move easily.

If it doesn't gross you out you can check the local Goodwill for used cowboy boots. The heel will be the right length, and the sole is completely tractionless.
Sole: http://hartlandshoes.us/BlkCowboyFS.jpg
Heel: http://www.ukdistributors.co.uk/photos/M%20699A.jpg

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
http://www.motorcycle-supersto...d-Boots-Closeouts.aspx

I might just end up investing in some cheap work boots though. Thanks for all the replies.

Those will do fine. But as said, they're going to get dirty.

 

[Bryophyte]

I grew up with horses. We never owned a saddle, never wore helmets or special gear. Just tshirt and jeans or shorts and sneakers (or even barefoot if we felt like it.) Hell, sometimes I didn't bother to put on a bridle and just improvised one out of rope.

As with any hobby, horseback riding can be as simple or as elaborate as you make it.

 

[Oyeve]

I got HB riding regularly and never took a lesson. The first time I rode was about 25 years ago and I was working at an investment company in NY and we went to some business meeting in Virginia. We went HB riding (all the partners were avid riders) and I lied and said I ride all the time. Well, I instantly became hooked and love riding. Even my first ride felt so natural that I still ride. My best riding was in Aruba. There they take you on a 5 hour ride on cliffs and all sorts of places were if you fell off you die. Nothing beats HB riding.

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: AreaCode707

Originally posted by: nakedfrog

Originally posted by: M0oG0oGaiPan
Alright I'm interested in learning how to ride a horse. Would private lessons be better or would it be just as well taking a group lesson? Would I need special shoes/boots? I'm interested in learning Western style. Is there a reason English style would be preferable?

Thanks.

AFAIK, the difference is pulling the direction you want to go versus pulling the opposite direction. I could be completely wrong, I've never had a lesson, I just hopped on (from the wrong side, apparently--didn't know it made a difference) and started riding.

Different saddles, to start. Western saddles have a wide seat for you to sit back and a horn. English saddles have a narrow and high seat, prompting you to sit straight/lean forward at various points, and no horn.

You're close with the pulling thing. It's more like pulling and pushing though. Any horse will follow the bit if you pull him one direction. However, western horses are trained to move AWAY from neck pressure. So English, to go right you pull right. Western, to go right you lay the left rein on the horse's neck.

And yeah, you mount from the left. Most horses are trained to expect it, but the old old old reason was a knight/cowboy wearing a weapon couldn't mount from the right without the sword/gun getting in the way.

It depends on the type of bit you use. Western usually have a curb or spade type of bit which really doesn't affect turning; whereas English usually use a snaffle bit which is split in the middle and allows for mouth-cues for turning. The different type of bit determines how you cue the horse (pull or push) to turn with the reins.

Leg-cues are also used in both riding styles for turning, but more-so in English.

I would recommend getting some boots (western or english) so you correctly fit in the stirrups and don't get caught-up.